My Wild Imagination

Writers have great imaginations. I am guilty of having too much of an imagination. Take my SCBWI conference in LA experience for example.

The Andrea Pinkney, Vice President of Scholastics, critiqued my manuscript and gave me glowing compliments that left me giddy all weekend long.

Andrea said that she loved my manuscript and that it is what Scholastics is looking for. She even told me to promise her to send it to her. She also wanted to see more of my work. The only caveat is that in order for me to do so, I needed an agent because of Scholastic's policy.

Andrea asked if I had one. I didn't.  So she went so far as to recommend a couple to me (which she said she never does) and even had cocktails with one of them to talk about my work (or at least that's what she said she'd do). This is where my imagination begins to unfold.

I imagined:

• my phone ringing off the hook with agents wanting to represent me

• me having the difficult task of deciding who I should choose
• my manuscript being chosen for the Sue Alexander award
• me moving to Big Sur and living in a quiet cabin so I can write all day
• me quitting my day job so I can learn to surf

• my kids bragging about their mom being the coolest

• me taking my private jet to have lunch in New York with Andrea Pinkney 

• Stars talking about me

• Ellen Degeneres or Oprah Winfrey knocking at my door 

• me making news in Time Magazine

Well, I soon realized that it wasn't going to happen.

Rejection after rejection sent me back to reality. 

The truth of the industry held true. 

Writing is a subjective business. 

Just because the V.P. of Scholastics loves your work doesn't mean an easy ticket in.

My imagination got the better of me. The story I submitted to Andrea Pinkney is still sitting in my folder waiting to be discovered and LOVED by an agent.

But wait!

There is something I DID NOT imagine.

It's the fact that, not one, but TWO of my picture book manuscripts was accepted by MeeGenius!  

I am proud to announce that my story THE TUMMY MONSTER is out! You can find it at MeeGenius.

And another, RUNNING BOY will be coming soon!

With every bad news, comes good news!

Debut Author Interview: Kristen Remenar, Author of Groundhog's Dilemma

Oh my! It's been a while since I've had an interview with a debut author. But as writers, I'm sure you are used to the waiting! We wait for a response from agents, editors, publishers, and if we're fortunate, the release of our new book. So what's one more wait to add to your list? 

Today's featured author knows a thing or two about waiting. Introducing Kristen Remenar! 

Kristen is the author of Groundhog's Dilemma, which is scheduled to be released in 2015 by Charlesbridge.  She has waited 13 long years to get her first picture book published. In this interview you will learn how Kristen's patience and perseverance got her a publishing contract. 

The 13-Year Wait: A Little Patience Pays off Big Time

It took you 13 years to publish your first picture book. Congratulations! While some people may be tempted to give up, you managed to stay strong and pursue your dream with patience and perseverance. Tell me about that.

Yes, perseverance has indeed been the name of the game for me. I joined SCBWI and sent out my first manuscript in 2000. A little over a decade later, I finally got the yes! Admittedly, life happened along the way to slow down the submission process but even though writing was often on the back burner, all the simmering resulted in something good.

"Don't rush to get something 'out there.' It takes time to learn to write and write well." ~ Charissa Weaks, Author

How many picture books have you written before coming up with the idea for GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA?

I've been writing since I was in second grade, and writing picture books since I was in college learning to be a teacher, but since I began to get serious about publishing in 2000, I wrote twelve picture books before I wrote what I called TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE and what will be published as GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA.

"...you really need to write 50 so-so stories, 30 okay stories and 20 good stories before getting to that one GREAT story." ~Bob Staake, author/illustrator

How many publishers have you submitted GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA to before getting a contract from Charlesbridge?

Submitting manuscripts (and facing rejection) has been one of the hardest parts of the process for me. I’m much more comfortable keeping my writing in my folders and considering myself an “undiscovered genius”, so Charlesbridge was the first to see this manuscript.

Image courtesy of Phaitoon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Looks like you struck gold when you submitted your manuscript to the first publisher on your list and got a contract! Can you explain that? 

My editor, Yolanda Scott, at Charlesbridge had seen and passed on three manuscripts before she saw GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA. Each time she said "no, thank you, but keep sending," so I did. So perhaps part of my success was building a relationship with an editor.

How do you deal with a rejection from an editor/publisher?

In the past, I would curse like a wounded sailor, soothe myself with chocolate, sob to my writing friends who’d then feel obligated to reassure me of my talent, vow never to submit again, and eventually send out something new. Now, I skip the vowing never to submit again.

"There is no such thing as failure. There is quitting or there is success." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

In the 13 years it took you to get a contract for your first picture book, did you ever think of giving up? 

I promised myself that I’d give my writing career 50 years, and if I hadn’t published by then, it might be time to call it quits.

What keeps you motivated?

It’s the one dream I’ve had since I was a kid that I can actually achieve. Solid Gold dancer? No. Published author – that I can do!

 

You are married to Matt Faulkner who has written and illustrated a number of children's books! What's it like having an award-winning writer/illustrator as your husband?  Does he give you any tips or advice on writing for children?

My husband is fantastically supportive. He gives only the advice I ask for. If my story is new and I just want someone to cheer me on, he does that. If I have a question about pacing or a section where I’m stuck, he gives terrific advice.

Illustrated by Matt Faulkner

What was your reactions when you found out that your husband was going to illustrate your book?

When my editor asked me how I felt about having Matt illustrate my first picture book, I felt so grateful because not only was she pairing me with such a talented artist, but that she was so considerate to ask me about it. Matt is so excited to be a part of this huge first experience for me. Yolanda has worked with Matt before, so we were hoping he’d be on her short list of artists.

Any plans on collaborating on a picture book together in the future? 

Matt and I have had fun working on some ideas together, but we’re taking the advice of Sarah Stewart and David Small, another wife/husband picture book team. Sarah writes, the editor edits, David makes art and treats Sarah like any other writer – Sarah doesn’t see the art until it’s done. I want to be married to Matt for a long time, so instead of watching over his shoulder, I won’t see (and won’t comment upon) the art for the book until it goes to the publisher.

Any advice for writers who are still waiting to be published? 

Give yourself 50 years before you call it quits!

*****
Here are some fun facts about the creation of GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA:

• # of days/weeks/months to write the first draft: The very first draft was 2 weeks of tinkering.
• # of years from draft to contract: 3 years 
• # of months from submission to Charlesbridge to getting a contract: 10 months
• # of revisions while in the hands of your editor at Charlesbridge: 2 before publishing, 2 since, and still counting!
• # of years it'll take to get GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA published: 3 years

Thank you so much, Kristen, for taking the time to share with us your story as a debut picture book author. I can't wait to read GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA! But I guess I'll have to wait until 2015. That I can do!

To learn about the Kristen's story behind the story, please check out FROM BRIGHT IDEA TO BOOKSHELF

*****

Some great posts on Patience:
The "P" Word:  Practicing Patience, 5 quick strategies By Miranda Paul

How Long Should You Keep Trying to get Published?

A Writer's Most Important Lesson: Patience

Patience is a Writer's Most Important Virtue

SCBWI LA Reflections, Part 1- Coming Home to Reality

I just came back from an exciting SCBWI conference in LA in which I felt like I was on an all-time high. I got to meet fabulous people whom I've been friends with online, but have never met in person. Turns out they were more wonderful than I had imagined. I love them all! 

I got to listen to inspiring messages from authors, editors and agents, and party with them at the Black & White Ball on Saturday night.

I also got to meet with Andrea Pinkney, V.P. of Scholastics and New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, during my critique session. She praised me for my work and I left with the feeling of elation. I'll write more about my experience on another post. Back to my story...

When I got home, reality hit me like I was run over by a bulldozer. Waiting for me on my desk were not one, but TWO rejection letters. I've never had two rejection letters come in the mail at one time so it really felt like a message to me yelling, "Get down from your high horse, young lady!" Well, I didn't get off my horse. My horse kicked me off.

This rejection reminded me of a post I had written in 2009.  I am re-posting it here to console myself. Hopefully it will help you too.

------------
IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME

"It’s not you, it’s me.” You may have heard these words one time too many. Your eyes well up as you process this unexpected news of a break-up and you wonder what went wrong in your relationship with your soon to be “ex.”

Hearing these words almost seems like a cop out; escaping the gut-wrenching explanation of what was lacking in the relationship. In the publishing industry, the relationship exists between publisher and author. And the break-up comes in the form of a rejection letter. But the “it’s not you, it’s me” excuse may not be a bad thing.

As an author, you put effort into making sure your story has been critiqued, edited, reviewed, and perfected. You follow the submission guidelines to a tee. You study the publishing house and its back issues or book list. But no matter how hard you try to do everything right to make the relationship work, you still receive a rejection letter.

According to the Children’s Writer’s June 4, 2009 eNews, published by The Institute of Children’s Literature, “rejection letters come to you because the project you just offered to sell isn’t what the editor wanted to buy.” Most of the time, editors are limited to a certain number of manuscripts that they can purchase or are looking for a specific genre. So, even if you’ve crafted a well-written story, followed the submission guidelines, and studied the market, you just may be out of luck. It’s all about whether or not your manuscript fits their need.

Don’t feel discouraged when you get a rejection letter. Even the best writers and the well-known authors get rejected. So, when you receive a rejection letter, find comfort in knowing that it could just be that “it’s them and not you.” Hold your head high and move on. Besides, there are other publishers in the sea.

The Odds of Winning

...And COWBOY CHRISTMAS Giveaway Announcement

My husband likes to play the lottery on occasion.  He hates it when I shake my head.  

Lucky lotto?  We'll see!

"You know, the odds of you winning are very slim," I tell him.

"But you're never going to win if you don't play," he says.

According to cnn.com, the odds of winning the recent $550 million Powerball Jackpot is 1 in 175 million.  You are more likely to be struck by lightening than winning the lotto.

What's a better odd?  Getting a book published.  Your odds are 3 out of 10,000 manuscripts or 1 out of 200 at best.  (Further discussion on this by Harold Underdown)  So I'm taking my chances on my stories than trying to win a lotto.  To me, sharing my stories with children throughout the world is more rewarding.  But don't get me wrong, if I happen to win a million-plus dollars, that's good too.

To paraphrase my husband's comment:

 "You never know if you don't try!"

Here are a few of this year's (2012) first-time picture book authors who took their chances and got published traditionally:

Brianna Caplan Sayres- Where do Diggers Sleep at Night
Tiffany Strelitz Haber- The Monster Who Lost his Mean
Donna Earnhardt- Being Frank
Laura Murray- The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
Sherry Duskey Rinker- Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
Amy- Dixon- Marathon Mouse
Robert Sanders- Cowboy Christmas

"Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never quit" ~unknown

These writers all pursued their dreams of becoming an author.  The important thing is that they took a chance and submitted their manuscripts.  Luck may have played a part in this, but most of their success was based on  hard work, persistence, and research.  That's how they got to be winners.

And speaking of winners...today is the day I announce the lucky recipient of COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Robert Sanders.  I chose Random.org to make the selection.  The odds of winning are 1 in 9.   Your chances are better winning this picture book than winning the lotto!  Anyway, let's get on with the announcement:

And the WINNER is....

Christie Wright Wild!

Christie, please contact me with your address and COWBOY CHRISTMAS will be on its way!

To the rest of you, don't quit trying.  There are other giveaways in store for 2013.  Or you can pick up your copy of COWBOY CHRISTMAS at your nearest bookstore or online.  

It's Not You, It's Me

“It’s not you, it’s me.” You may have heard these words one time too many. Your eyes well up as you process this unexpected news of a break-up and you wonder what went wrong in your relationship with your soon to be “ex.”

Hearing these words almost seems like a cop out; escaping the gut-wrenching explanation of what was lacking in the relationship. In the publishing industry, the relationship exists between publisher and author. And the break-up comes in the form of a rejection letter. But the “it’s not you, it’s me” excuse may not be a bad thing.

As an author, you put effort into making sure your story has been critiqued, edited, reviewed, and perfected. You follow the submission guidelines to a tee. You study the publishing house and its back issues or book list. But no matter how hard you try to do everything right to make the relationship work, you still receive a rejection letter.

According to the Children’s Writer’s June 4, 2009 eNews, published by The Institute of Children’s Literature, “rejection letters come to you because the project you just offered to sell isn’t what the editor wanted to buy.” Most of the time, editors are limited to a certain number of manuscripts that they can purchase or are looking for a specific genre. So, even if you’ve crafted a well-written story, followed the submission guidelines, and studied the market, you just may be out of luck. It’s all about whether or not your manuscript fits their need.

Don’t feel discouraged when you get a rejection letter. Even the best writers and the well-known authors get rejected. So, when you receive a rejection letter, find comfort in knowing that it could just be that “it’s them and not you.” Hold your head high and move on. Besides, there are other publishers in the sea.

Tips on Avoiding Rejection

I was shuffling through my old notes and found a list of tips on "avoiding rejection." It's from the 2004 issue of CHILDREN'S WRITER'S & ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET. I thought I'd share it with all of you.

The biggest submission turnoffs (according to the two agents who were interviewed for this column):

• The letter is addressed, "Dear Sir," especially if there isn't any men in the company. Also, addressing by first name when you do not know him or her.
• Including handwritten notes.
• Explanations that friends, family, and students recommend or loved the writing.
• Comparing your book to other will-recognized authors. "It's the next Harry Potter!"
• Telling them that it will be a big seller and that they will be sorry if they turn it down.
• Not following submission guidelines.
• Mispelling a name.
• Including any non-manuscript materials in the submission (dolls, food, etc.).
• An abundance of grammatical errors.
• Manuscripts with illustrations done by the author's young children.
• Single-spaced manuscripts.

If any of you have anything you'd like to add to this list, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. Let's keep our editors and agents HAPPY!

Acceptance and Rejection

You receive the long-awaited envelope in the mail from the publisher. You weigh it in your hand. It's thicker than what you sent out. It's also heavier than you anticipate. You forgo the letter opener and proceed to tear open the envelope flap with your pointer finger. You shuffle through the papers and find an unfamiliar packet of information. It's your acceptance letter and contract from the publisher. You twirl the papers in your hand and do the acceptance dance. For me, that's the body shimmy with a head bopping while singing, "I got my contract, I got my contract, la-la-la-la-la-la-la," to the Spanish tune of "La Cucaracha."

When I got my first acceptance letter, I was ecstatic. It's a feeling of accomplishment, much like completing a marathon. And I'm not just saying this. I actually ran 3 marathons. It's nice to know that all the months of researching, writing, reading, editing, and more editing had paid off. Seeing my article in print was like receiving a finisher's medal. When I crossed that finish line and received my medal, I became a marathoner. The day I saw my article in print, I became a published writer. And like my finisher's medal, I carried the magazine with me wherever I went and shared it with my family and friends.

Having a published piece gave me a "writer's high." I felt as if that one article put me in an advantage in the publishing world. Any future article or story that I write would be read before all the other unpublished writers. My mind went into a creative frenzy. Ideas for stories and articles came popping into my head. I began working on my next article with my virtual badge of honor that read, "published writer." I sent out my next manuscript, not with hesitance and nervousness, but this time with pride and optimism.

A few months later, I received the envelope I've been waiting for. I opened my other mail before opening the letter from the publisher. Carefully sliding the letter opener into the flap of the envelope, I delicately pulled out the paper. It was a single sheet. Perhaps, the publisher is cutting down on paper and shrunk the contract into a single page, I thought. No. It was a rejection letter. Reality hit me...and it hit me in the heart.

My rejection letter was reminder about the fierce competitiveness of this industry. But hey, so I received a rejection letter. I just need to keep sending out my manuscript and finding a home for it. In sales, they say you must get 8 "no's" before you receive a "yes" response. I'm sure that is much higher in the publishing world. Nevertheless, I will press on. For every rejection I get, I know I am that much closer to receiving another acceptance letter. I'll keep working on my craft, perfecting my skill, and attending workshops. Write-on my friends!